Next Meeting – Wednesday, March 2nd – 7pm at Fire Station 22Minutes from the Feb 3rd MeetingNW University Master PlanAs mentioned in previous emails, John Kappler has been working with the Mayor, the City Manager as well as Dr Castleberry, President of NW University on the update the University’s Master Plan and “uses for the campus”. Because the NWU master plan was a quasi-judicial matter, John wouldn’t be able to continue acting as a point person for an update to the plan.The next step will be to understand the limitation or uses of outside organizations using the fields. Once this is understood, a suggestion might be to have a “liaison” to work with the neighbors and NW University.Request from KAN regarding ST3 Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) would like the neighborhoods to issue a letter to ST3. As a group we decide we are not ready to draft a letter. We would like to get both the Pro and Con to one of our upcoming meetings to discuss the issue in more depth. This should happen once ST3 has finalized their draft so we know what we are debating.Parking SurveyKAN ran a survey on parking in Kirkland. The results are posted at http://www.kirklandkan.org/, you can review the overall results or the results within a specific neighborhood.Neighborhood Matching GrantThe Neighborhood Matching Grant is done every two years. We are in the second year and need to use our money. A good portion of our money is allocated to the Houghtdown Picnic which did not happen in 2015. We can repurpose the money, we need to use it by end of this year. Suggestions included do a volunteer event and hopefully still finding volunteers to run the Houghtdown Picnic this year. If you have suggestions or interested in volunteering to run the Houghtdown Picnic, please send them to cathy.whiteside@outlook.com.Neighborhood Safety ProgramOur Neighborhood Safety Program (NSP) application is to put in crosswalk beacons at the crosswalk near the church on 108th (just south of Fire Station 22). This would be a rapid flashing beacon and street light. Kari and Lisa have been talking with neighbors and will continue to work out the details of the crosswalk project. Additionally, we submitted the request to look at the drainage on 108th near 55th. This is not a NSP project. The city will look into the drainage as part of regular maintenance.Year in ReviewBrian put together a great presentation on what got accomplished in 2015, check it out! One of the key areas of improvement has been around communication; new meeting notice signs, updated website, and new Facebook page (over 120 members). What do you think of the communication? Is it better? Do you have suggestions on other improvements or would we should be focusing on in 2016?ElectionsFor 2016, the following officers were elected to run CHNA:-Chair – Lisa McConnell-Vice-Chair – Brian Staples-Treasurer – Erika Somm-Secretary – Cathy WhitesideEven though we just had elections, we really, really would like to get new member involved. We would love to work with folks throughout the year so you understand that it doesn’t take that much effort to have a positive impact on your own neighborhood.Stay in touch!!Join our group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1376693919236398/Check the website www.houghtonlives.com

Last year, the Kirkland City Council voted to ban most plastic bags at city businesses. That ban will take effect March 1, 2016. The ban prohibits single-use plastic bags. It allows for plastic bags such as those used for transporting bulk food, hardware items, frozen foods, meats, and newspapers. It also requires retail stores to charge customers at least five cent fee for recyclable paper bags.​From the Kirkland Reporter article:

Mayor Amy Walen, who voted in favor of the ordinance, has said a ban is necessary for environmental reasons.

“Kirkland is growing and we must grow in a smart way,” she said in a release. “I’m proud to see Kirkland adopt this consumer- and business-friendly legislation that shows Kirkland’s commitment to being responsible for our environment.”The only councilmember to vote against the ordinance was Toby Nixon, who has voiced opposition to the idea of a plastic bag ban from the beginning.​Other cities with plastic bag bans include Seattle, Issaquah, Bellingham, Shoreline and Mercer Island.

Note: We currently need people to fill board position(s). Right now, we are going to be short at least one person for next year. Please, if you can spare a couple of hours a month, it would be great if you could step forward in valuable service to our neighborhood. Thanks!

Tuesday April 9, 2019 7:00 pm(Special Meeting - Northwest University Master Plan)​*Please note that the default day for meetings is the second Tuesday of the months of September, November, January, March, and May. To be timely, we may call special meetings to discuss topics of major neighborhood interest.​Also note, CHNA does not typically meet during July and August, unless there is a specific immediate topic to share.